There’s a man, a boy really, who begs for money near my house. He hobbles around on crutches with his leg bound up in a plaster cast. There really doesn’t seem to be anything too unusual about this scene… just that his leg has been broken for somewhere around 5 years.

So we always suspected that it was all a lovely scam. For some reason, we were still surprised when we saw that same boy walking around downtown with his girlfriend. That’s right- no cast and no crutches. A miracle? Not really. Monday morning he was back to work, crutches in tow.

It’s unfortunate, but Mexico can make you quite cynical. The first time I went to Mexico City I was naïve and inexperienced in the ways of the world. I remember walking out of La Villa and finding myself in the middle of a corridor of poor people. Many were without legs, or arms, blind, sick or simply living in extreme poverty. It was too much for me. All I could do was look straight ahead.

I’m still overcome with anger when I see handicapped men in downtown Xalapa dragging themselves along the sidewalks or the side of the road along side the passing cars and pedestrians. No human being should have to experience that. Ever.

It is almost unforgiveable that people like this boy take on the role of someone really in need to get by. I know it’s hard. I know money is scarce. But there are thousands of people who really do need help. Now, you just don’t know who to believe.

Photo Source: DW-World